Business Career Passport launched for undergrads

The Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University will this fall launch a new career preparation program for undergraduate students – Business Career Passport.

The program will focus on career management and preparation and is intended to help students successfully launch their careers upon graduation.

Students admitted to the BBA degree at the Beedie School of Business from fall 2012 and thereafter will be required to complete a series of six mandatory workshops focusing on various elements of career management before graduation. In addition, Business Career Passport will offer optional one-on-one career coaching sessions for students wishing to receive more support.

“Business Career Passport will help students to assess their career interests and options and develop career management skills, ensuring that they are recognized by employers as being polished and professional during the job search process,” says Nancy Fournier, Associate Director – Undergraduate Careers of the Beedie School of Business’s Career Management Centre (CMC), which oversees the Passport Program.

The unique career program has been developed with support from the employer community, including Procter & Gamble, who have awarded the CMC their Higher Education Grant of $10,000 for three years in a row.

“At P&G, we are committed to our campus recruiting efforts and as a “build from within” organization, we proudly see over 95% of our people start at entry level. Therefore, recruiting fresh graduates from schools in Canada where we have a track record of success is important,” says Stella Fong, Talent Supply Manager, P&G Canada. “We have partnered with Simon Fraser University for several years and we hope the grant funding continues to support their students and their career aspirations in business.”

The content of the program was developed based on feedback from current students and alumni. Top employers and recruiters were also consulted in the development of the passport, with feedback indicating they were enthusiastic about the structure, content and goals of the program.

Upon completion of the program, students will possess the skills necessary to understand and manage their career process. The workshops will help students assess their career interests and goals and teach them to think and communicate from a potential employer’s perspective, increasing their employability and ensuring a successful transition to the workplace.

“The flexible model of the passport will allow students to schedule the workshops when they are most relevant to them, adding tremendous value to their experience at SFU,” says Fournier. “The program will enhance the SFU Beedie brand as a school of choice for both prospective students and employers.”

For more information on the Business Career Passport, visit https://beedie.sfu.ca/careers/ugrad/careerpassport/